Written By: Tyra Mills

As the midterm elections came to a close Tuesday night, VSU students gathered in a Bailey Science Center classroom to partake in a Domestic Violence Awareness Panel hosted by the Office of Social Equity.

Topics discussed included if and when a man should defend himself against women and how a man should do so if the need arises. Recent brawls between celebrity couples such as Rihanna and Chris Brown, and Ray Rice and Janay Rice were also discussed.

Panelists included Dr. Richard Vodde and Dr. Lana Kim, both VSU faculty members, and SGA President Tyler Barker.

Professional staff from The Haven, a local non-profit organization that provides temporary emergency shelter to victims of family violence and sexual assault, were also in attendance.

Barker said that there are multiple resources around campus to help students if they are in abusive relationships or have been victims of assault. These resources include the campus police department and the campus counseling center.

In recent weeks, there have been several forums spotlighting domestic violence and sexual assault. VSU Women of Diversity and the APO service fraternity both hosted forums on Oct. 30, and the Office of Social Equity plans to host another one Nov. 10 at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theater.